Herb Garden Clippings into Wreath

Hello, 

Our spring garden has been growing some beautiful herbs. 

 As summer approaches, it's time to do some trimming.

I don't like to waste any-

Let's make a kitchen wreath !

I have this wreath form with attached 

wire that can be pinched closed.

 

I started with small bundles of Rosemary.

Attaching to the form by dividing the circle into thirds

going in the same direction.

Then adding more bundles to cover the stems

I used some floral wire to secure and shape the wreath.

I cut small bundles of Rosemary, Thyme,

Oregano, Mint and Sage.

The herbs look and smell so nice.

Over time it will dry-

 I hung it high for a picture.

I will leave it low so I can use the herbs in my cooking.

after it looks shabby I can reuse

 the wreath form again and again.

 

Thanks for visiting!

xo Lisa S

Something special in the Garden -

.....That I never noticed before-

See the Garlic that is about to flower 

When the flowers burst open-

they leave the outer cover 

on the ground

I had not noticed these before now.

It resembles a beautiful delicate, paper-like

white dried flower-

I gathered a few and brought them inside

                                                                No, they don't smell like garlic.

They made me smile !

Have a wonderful day.

xo Lisa S

Tea Cup Bird Feeder and Gift Tag

 

Hi there,

Let's spend some time in the garden.

I wanted  to make a little bird feeder.

You have seen these Teacup feeders many times before...I know....

I want to fill it a little differently.

We will start with a tea cup or mug-

This is a great way to use a chipped or mismatched cup.

It's easy to find tea cups here and there.

I used GOOP to adhere the cup to the saucer.

I purchased a package of Wild Bird Suet at Dollar Tree.

I plan to fill my tea cup and see what happens next.

The ingredients are corn, rendered beef suet, oats,

roasted peanuts and soy oil.

 

It's soft and moist like chunky peanut butter or brown sugar.

You can make your own with coconut oil and bird seed.

Birds love bird seed but I find it very messy !

I'm going to try the suet, I want to see if it lasts a little longer

than the seed.

I broke it up in a bowl, then repacked it into the tea cup.

Looked around the garden and found a stick.

Press the stick into lower base of cup for a perch.

I used heavy duty wire to hang the feeder.

Here is the feeder hanging in the tree.

Another option would be ...

just the teacup without a saucer.

I used a scrap of chain to hang in my lemon tree.

I was able to fill 2 tea cups (3/4cup full ) with 1 -10 oz. package of suet.

Here are some teacups to print for gift tags !

 

Oh my goodness!

 I wanted to post before Mother's day and I was waiting to get

the perfect picture of birds visiting my tea cup feeder

and life got busy... but happy busy.

Have a blessed week!

xo Lisa S

Lavender Hearts

 Hello,

Thanks for visiting!

Let me show you how I used some lavender 

from my garden.

They were picked in the summer and now the buds are dry.

I found a large cardboard box and cut out some 

heart shapes- about 4'' tall.

I had some lavender colored ribbon,

white glue and a tool to poke a hole for the ribbon.

You will need some dry lavender, hopefully you have some

or can get some from a friend.

A piece of parchment paper will be helpful.

I store my lavender in an antique oak seed box.

These are easy and fun to make.

Cover the heart shape with glue and cover with buds,

press to hold in place, and then glue the edges and

cover the sides.

Lay on parchment paper.

It's a bit sticky if you are impatient like I am.

Allow to dry.

Poke a hole for the ribbon hanger.

After the glue dried, I checked them over

to make sure everything was covered completely.

You can always go back with a little glue and add more buds.

Here's a close-up

I have these small bags and clear mailing seals

 that I bought at the DOLLAR TREE

I had some bags just about the right size.

I used scissors to cut a 'V' at the bottom of the bag.

Then pulled the ribbon through the hole.

You can still smell the fragrant lavender buds.

I am hoping this will help with

less mess when handled at the craft show.

I sealed the bag with the circle dots.

I like to have a large variety of items on my table

in a wide range of prices.

They can be picked up by the bag or the ribbon.

Small items at the craft show always sell out 

and that makes me happy!

They can be used as stocking stuffers,

 tree ornaments or package toppers.

Here is a Lavender Wreath, some  Embroidered Lavender Sachet, 

and How to pick lavender for Stamped Muslin Bags.

Just recently, how to make Sugar and Lavender Scrub.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Your visit is always appreciated.

xo Lisa S

Sugar & Lavender GARDENERS HAND SCRUB

Hello friend,

I love to give gifts from the garden.

Here's a very simple

 and inexpensive gift that just about anyone

would appreciate.

You only need 3 ingredients.

I found coconut oil at my DOLLAR TREE.

To make the scrub:

1/2 C. Coconut Oil- melted in microwave

1  1/2 C. White Sugar

10 Drops Lavender Essential Oil

1 tsp. Lavender Buds- Optional

Clean jars with lids

(This recipe will fill 3 of these Ball jars )

Mix together and fill jars.

To use the sugar scrub:

Start with clean hands,

Take about an 1/8 of a teaspoon

of the scrub and put into your palm.

Rub front and back of hands.

Then rinse with cool water and pat dry with a towel.

The sugar will wash away and the 

oil and fragrance will remain.

Your hands will feel so soft !

It works great on feet

Then add socks !

NOTE:

DO NOT USE IN THE SHOWER!

It will be slippery and dangerous.

   

For a special touch, make labels for your scrub.

These beautiful labels came from

The Graphics Fairy

Please visit The Graphics Fairy !

(I used a different recipe )

The labels are the perfect size for wide mouth Ball jars

I cut out my labels and gave the front a light coat of MOD PODGE.

This will protect the paper.

Make sure your ink has dried first!

I used MOD PODGE again to adhere the label to 

the lid inserts. Let dry.

If any coconut oil gets on the label the Mod Podge

will protect the paper.

I divided my recipe into thirds and filled the jars.

Top off with more buds if you like!

Set the insert on the jar and then the ring.

I filled 6 jars, we will see how they do at the Fall Craft Fair.

I plan to make another batch for gifts.

Have a blessed week!

xo Lisa S

Front Yard Tour- More Flowers, Less Grass Project

Hi Friend,

Let's start here for a quick front yard tour.

We have a large grass area with flowers

that border the whole yard.

My husband does all the yardwork himself, I am his helper.

I love the grass, but it does need a lot of water.

In late SPRING we had a crazy idea.

We thought removing some grass would help to lower our water bill.

Most of our yard and side area has draught tolerant native plants.

My husband and I removed another huge amount of grass.

We divided some perennials that we already had-

Society Garlic is easy to divide. It is a good border filler.

We replaced the rock border.

Then filled in the area with shredded bark mulch.

By summer...wow !

We love the new look.

 

Everything continued to grow

We filled in areas with seeds.

Daisies around the mailbox.

Lavender does very well in my area.

We water by hand only when needed.

We like Mexican Marigolds and Mexican Sage

Lots of White and Yellow Yarrow

I love the orange and blue combination-

California Poppies and Nigella (Love-in-a-mist)

Salvia microphyll 'Hot Lips' and 'Baby Sage'

is easy to grow in my area, it can be

 cut back often to retain it's shape and size.

I grow lots of Calendula- Pot Marigolds to make salves and body butters

These Gaillardia- Blanket Flowers are so vivid!

On the hill, as we call it- I have Queen Annes Lace,

Rosemary, Calendula, Lavender ....it changes often.

It has helped to get the water bill lower!

Just in time for summer.

Here's the backyard project from a few years ago.

We are happy with the change.

Thanks for taking a tour with me-

xo Lisa S